10, 11, 12 April 2009

ODYSSEY TO TAKE HIATUS

Odyssey, the Three day Mountain bike event traditionally held over Easter weekend is to take a break next year...

The event running from Whakatane to Taupo with two overnight stays on Marae's has been popular with a hardy bunch of riders of all skill ranges with some travelling from as far away as Ireland and Hong Kong to take part. Event spokesman Warwick Hall says ' With the event covering around 300kms of course between the two regions it has been a huge logistical exercise and been a big focus in time and resources to produce the race at the level we have. With both regions portfolio of events growing exponentially we have decided to park Odyssey up for a year in order to focus on other projects.

We are looking forward to enhancing and building upon iconic aspects such as the Marae stays and increasing the sections of riding held through the Whirinaki Forest which received such high praise from this year’s riders.

09 REVIEW

The 2009 Bike Odyssey rated as the best one yet ventured into the land of the Giants. The annual 300 kilometre ride from Whakatane to Taupo challenged the participants to their limits and took in some virgin mountain bike territory. Day 2 was the highlight with a 74 kilomtre course mostly in native bush included some spectacular single track that had well known adventure racer and multisporter Grant Burke gob-smacked.

Grant at the fit end of the spectrum found the course challenging as did the riders at the back of the field. The Whakatane fairies rode all day every day and loved it. Sue Hart loved the new course and thought it was much better than the original in 2007.

Irish tourist Hillary McGee arrived in Auckland on Wednesday and was in the heart of the Whirinaki on Saturday. She enjoyed the experience, especially the Marae stays and the powhiri at Murupara and Te Whaiti.

ALMOST 3,000 YEARS AGO, the Greek hero Odysseus set out on a 10-year journey. He and his men faced huge adventure... kicking in with the one-eyed Cyclops, who promptly ate two of them. The rest escaped after stabbing the Cyclops in the eye, but then by accident released a hurricane that blew them back to where they had started.

Next came giants, who gobbled a few more men, and enchantress Circe who turned a few more into pigs.

Then a journey to the underworld where ghosts provided directions; and back to sea, where sweet-singing Sirens tried to lure Odysseus to doom (he stuffed his ears with wax).

A giant whirlpool, more sailors gobbled up, and then a boat-destroying thunderbolt from Zeus... like any good mountain biker Odysseus just never, never gave up!

The guts and eventual success of hero Odysseus created the word Odyssey - an epic journey. It is the perfect word for the Whakatane - Taupo Odyssey.

The Odyssey is both a race and "fun" mountain bike ride for individuals and teams. Over 250km of mountain biking in three days, with two carefully selected camp sites.

The hills south of Whakatane and Kawerau, the Whirinaki Forest and dozens of kilometers of bush trails makes the Odyssey an incredible experience.